March 2025

New Year, New Impact

As we kick off the new year, the Pancreas Cancer Task Force is committed to making an even greater impact! March is Women's History Month, a time to honor resilient women making strides in the medical field, and National Nutrition Month, highlighting the importance of healthy habits.

We celebrate a successful first year of the Pancreas Cancer Peer Mentor Program, which provides essential support for patients and families. We’re also gearing up for Roll & Stroll 2025, raising funds for research and patient support in our community. Check out our timely updates, upcoming events, and resources. Let’s make 2025 a year of purpose, progress, and community!

In Case You Missed It

New Acting Director at UWCCC: Dr. Christian Capitini
Next Dean of UW SMPH: Dr. Nita Ahuja

Projects in Progress

Roll & Stroll Sponsorship & Planning
New Peer Mentor Nutrition Training
PCTF History Review

Upcoming Events

Roll & Stroll Meeting: 1/13 @ 5pm
PCTF Quarterly Meeting: 5/8 @ 5pm
Roll & Stroll Sponsor Meeting: 3/19

In the News

Learn more about the UW Carbone Pancreas Cancer Peer Mentor Program today!

Dr. Noelle LoConte's Insights on the

Relationship Between Alcohol & Cancer Risk

“I see the effect that these cancers have on people every time I am in clinic. Anything we can do to prevent cancer is meaningful and important.”

Read the full article here!

March is National Nutrition Month

Learn about cancer nutrition resources!

We Recognize the Power of Nutrition by:

Promoting healthy habits and choices.
Celebrating the vital role of nutritionists and dietitians.
Empowering the community with nutritional guidance.
Supporting strength, balance, & exercise with proper nutrition.

Honoring Women in Medicine

Rebecca M. Minter, MD, MBA, FACS

“It has been my greatest privilege to have the opportunity to be a surgeon who has the opportunity to care for patients at their most vulnerable moments. While Surgery was not always a field that welcomed women, this has changed quite significantly and I would strongly encourage any young women interested in this field to jump in without hesitation.”

Nataliya Uboha, MD, PhD

"I am proud to be able to offer novel treatments to patients with pancreatic cancer in our cancer center. Pancreatic cancer continues to be a very tough disease to treat, but latest clinical trials hold promise to improve outcomes for our patients. With the support of UW and Carbone Cancer Center, our clinical trial teams (GI and Early Phase teams in particular) are able to offer access to cutting edge therapies to our patients here in Madison. I am proud to lead and be a part of these amazing research teams at UWCCC for the benefit of our patients."

Dr. Monica Patel, MD

"I work in this field because of the incredible and resilient patients, their families, and a hope for a better tomorrow in cancer care."

Jiarui Chen, MD, MS, PhD Student

"My proudest accomplishment has been to pursue the dual MD/PhD path-a physician-scientist track that remains male-dominated globally. Completing a competitive and intensive residency program in radiation oncology while meeting the social expectations for women in STEM was already a significant challenge. Transitioning to the US to further advance oncology research as an international woman has made this journey even more demanding. Each step has strengthened my commitment to bridging the gap between clinical practice and scientific discovery to make a meaningful impact in cancer research and patient care."

Sydney Ann Freiberg, Second-Year Medical Student

"My greatest advice to younger women wanting to pursue a career in the medical field is to do things that remind you of your 'why' of why you choose to go to medical school, nursing school, etc. That is one of the reasons why I love being a part of the Pancreas Cancer Task Force so much. Everyone is so motivated to improve the lives of patients and their families, and it reminds me on the rough days why all of it will be worth it."

Research Spotlight

Idea Development Grant Awards 2025

Adam Kuchnia, PhD

Nutritional Sciences

Assistant Professor

Harmonizing Automated Opportunistic CT with MR Proton Density Fat Fraction: A Novel Approach for Improved Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer Cachexia

"Cancer-associated cachexia is characterized by the progressive loss of muscle and fat mass, leading to severe unintentional weight loss that negatively corresponds with mobility, quality of life, treatment response, and survival."

Andrea Galmozzi, PhD

Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Assistant Professor

Targeting Polyamine Signaling In Pancreatic Cancer-Induced Cachexia

"Viewing cachexia as a metabolic disorder enables us to target the underlying molecular mechanisms of disease progression, rather than solely managing its consequences."

Learn more about Cancer Cachexia!